Identity: My Life of Faith Luke 9.18 26 How many would like to be an A+ teacher? Our identity determines our behavior. Did your parents ever say, You are a Washington and Washington s don t act like that? Our identity I am a disciple I am part of a body of believers I am part of a family I am part of a company (work) I am part of community I am a missionary My life in Christ: I am a disciple. What is the difference between a believer and a disciple? To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. John 8:31 32 (NIV2011) Once when Jesus was praying in private and his disciples were with him, he asked them, Who do the crowds say I am? Luke 9:18 (NIV2011) Email your people and ask them to do an informal survey of people they know, asking, Who was Jesus? Why did Jesus teach this oh-so-important lesson using a question? They replied, Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, that one of the prophets of long ago has come back to life. Luke 9:19 (NIV2011) Why John the Baptist? Why Elijah? What do you know about John the Baptist? What do you recall about Elijah? But what about you? he asked. Who do you say I am? Peter answered, God s Messiah. Luke 9:20 (NIV2011) εἶπεν δὲ αὐτοῖς ὑμεῖς δὲ τίνα με λέγετε εἶναι; Πέτρος δὲ ἀποκριθεὶς εἶπεν τὸν χριστὸν τοῦ θεοῦ. Luke 9:20 (NA27 w/gramcord, Int.)
Jesus strictly warned them not to tell this to anyone. Luke 9:21 (NIV2011) Why did he not want them to tell? What is the implication for us? If the Apostles began preaching that He was indeed the Messiah, it might cause a popular uprising against Rome. Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 206. And he said, The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. Luke 9:22 (NIV2011) Then he said to them all: Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. Luke 9:23 (NIV2011) What is a disciple? What does it mean to take up your cross? Is it possible to be a Christian and not deny yourself, take up your cross and follow Him? Is it possible to have Christ as your forgiver and savior but not have Him as your Lord? What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self? Luke 9:25 (NIV2011) Would you like the Christian faith better if it didn t include these hard sayings? Close in a time of prayer where several voice a prayer of total surrender to Christ.
Identity: My Life of Faith Session 2: My life in the Church 1 Peter 4.7-11 A group of 10 that doubles every 18 months will reach 1000 people for God in 10 years. You can double your class every two years or less by inviting every member and every prospect to every fellowship every month. 1 Peter 4:7 11 (NIV2011) The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. What does it mean to be sober minded? Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. 1 Peter 4:7 (NIV2011) Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. 1 Peter 4:7 (NIV) Therefore, practice self-control, and keep your minds clear so that you can pray. 1 Peter 4:7 (GW) Therefore, be serious and disciplined for prayer. 1 Peter 4:7 (HCSB) 8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Can you think of an example of time when it was easy to put up with bad behavior because love covered over a multitude of sins? 9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God s grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. What is a spiritual gift? Why is it important that we know our spiritual gifts? How do we discover our spiritual gifts? How to discover your spiritual gifts Explore the possibilities. Experiment with as many as possible. Examine your feelings. Evaluate your effectiveness. Expect confirmation from the body. 9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. What is the form of the language is this a proverb, parable, or command? Hospitality is not optional to Christian discipleship.
What EXACTLY is the command? What can you expect to happen when you offer hospitality? Should you do this once, or is this a lifestyle? What exactly is hospitality? φιλόξενος / philóxenos Hospitable, loving strangers, a friend of, or kind to strangers. Matthew 25:43 (NIV2011) I was a stranger and you did not invite me in. Love them, and their heart will warm up to a message about a God who loves them. Community must proceed content. Luke 14:12 (NIV2011) Then Jesus said to his host, When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends Luke 14:12 (GW) Then he told the man who had invited him, When you invite people for lunch or dinner, don t invite only your friends Have you ever had a class party and invited only people who attend the class? 9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Why does he say, without grumbling. Reason #1: Grumbling will make you grumpier. 1 Corinthians 10:10 (NIV2011) And do not grumble, as some of them did and were killed by the destroying angel. Reason #2: All good ideas degenerate into work. Reasons #3: Some people are hard to love. What are some ways we could offer hospitality to strangers? (Make a list.) What is one thing we could do before next Sunday to be obedient to this command. You can double your class every two years or less by inviting every member and every prospect to every fellowship every month.
Identity: My Life at Home Ephesians 5.21 6.3 The first arena in which we live our Christian life is in our homes. The quality of your home life will affect the quality of your life like nothing else. I would invite you to join me in a lifelong commitment to learning as it relates to home life. Ephesians 5:33 (NIV2011) However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband. My vision for Sunday School: A collegial environment where we encourage divergent views and robust theological discussion. Ecclesiastes 7:18 (NIV2011) It is good to grasp the one and not let go of the other. Whoever fears God will avoid all extremes. Complementarian view Complementarian Versus Egalitarian In the complementarian view, men and women are both of equal, intrinsic value before God and are also both of equal value and importance within the marriage. However, they are understood to have different, complementary roles or functions, with the husband serving as the spiritual leader in the family. http://www.todayschristianwoman.com Egalitarian view An egalitarian view of marriage, on the other hand, focuses on equality within marriage without distinct roles based on gender. Both the husband and wife lead the family collaboratively, stressing mutual submission to each other. http://www.todayschristianwoman.com Ephesians 5:21 33 (NIV2011) 21 Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. 22 Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. The wives to their own husbands as to the Lord! R. C. H. Lenski What does it mean, practically speaking to submit to one another? 23 For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. What is meant by head? But in this context the word head has the idea of authority attached to it after the analogy of Christ s headship over the church. F. F. Bruce, The New International Commentary 24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. What if the husband lead the wife into sin? Acts 5:29 (NIV2011) Peter and the other apostles replied: We must obey God rather than human beings!
25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26 to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, 27 and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. What do we learn about discipleship from these two verses? 25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26 to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, 27 and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. We are cleansed by the washing of water through the Word. 28 In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. What are 20 ways a husband could show love to his wife? 29 After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church 30 for we are members of his body. 31 For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. 32 This is a profound mystery but I am talking about Christ and the church. Why is leaving a necessary prerequisite to cleaving? 33 However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband. Is respect earned or given unconditionally? What are 20 ways a wife could show respect for her husband? What is one thing you want to do about today s lesson?
Identity: My Life at Work Colossians 3.22 4.1 About a third of our waking time is spent at work. Churches hardly every talk about it. Get to know you question: What is your name and where do you work? Teaching aim: That your people would walk out of your class determined to work with all their hearts, as working for the Lord. Colossians 3:22 4:1 (NIV2011) Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. What was the situation with slaves back in the day? How did it compare with pre-civil war slavery in the South? Why do you suppose the Bible does not condemn slavery outright? Should a Christian carry out the policy of a boss or company they disagree with? What should a Christian do whose boss asks them to lie or cheat? Acts 5:29 (NIV2011) Peter and the other apostles replied: We must obey God rather than human beings! 23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. What does whatever include? What percentage of workers would you say work at it with all their heart? What benefits come to those who work at it with all their heart? Didn t Jesus say His yoke was easy? If you do what is easy, you will have a hard life. If you do what is hard, life will be easy for you. Is it possible to work too hard? Psalm 127:2 (NIV2011) In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat for he grants sleep to those he loves. Psalm 127:2 (The Message) It s useless to rise early and go to bed late, and work your worried fingers to the bone. Don t you know he enjoys giving rest to those he loves? What harm comes to those who work too hard? How does this advice differ from the advice of culture? Leisure & Pleasure
For retired people Is it OK for them to pursue leisure and pleasure? 25 Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for their wrongs, and there is no favoritism. 1 Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven. What are some qualities of a good boss? There is talk these days about the ethics of CEO pay versus average worker pay. Do you think this is and issue God cares about? Closing question: Are you? Are you working with all your heart?
Identity: My Life in the Community Matthew 25.34-40 A billion people will go to bed hungry tonight. Matthew 4:17 (NIV2011) From that time on Jesus began to preach, Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near. Matthew 10:7 (NIV2011) As you go, proclaim this message: The kingdom of heaven has come near. Matthew 6:10 (NIV2011) Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. His mission is to bring the culture of Heaven to earth. Tullian Tchividjian, Surprised by Grace Matthew 25:34 40 (NIV2011) Then the King will say to those on his right, Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, We are saved by grace through faith alone. But, the faith that saves us is never alone. James 2:14 17 (NIV2011) What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? 15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, Go in peace; keep warm and well fed, but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, Hebrews 13:2 (NIV2011) Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me. Every group member would do well to visit fellow group members in the hospital. 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me. Has anyone participated in prison ministry? Does anyone know what prison ministries are available locally? 37 Then the righteous will answer him, Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?
38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you? 40 The King will reply, Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me. A billion people will go to bed hungry tonight. Four applications from Matthew 25 1. Move toward the problem a. Get informed b. Take a trip 2. Pray 3. Give as you go 4. Give regularly, systematically, automatically
Identity: My Life on Mission 1 Corinthians 9.19-27 Get to know you question: What is your name and favorite athlete? What would you say is the big idea of this section? 1 Corinthians 9:19 23 (NIV2011) Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. 20 To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. What does he mean that he is not under the law? 21 To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God s law but am under Christ s law), so as to win those not having the law. What does he mean that he IS under the law? 22 To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. We adapt to the style of a culture to reach that culture. 23 I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings. What would you say is the big idea of this section? Whatever it takes! Would you be willing to endure music you didn t like to reach people God loves? What would you say is the big idea of this section? 1 Corinthians 9:24 27 (NIV2011) Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. What can we learn about discipleship from the field of athletics? 25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. What is the difference between training ourselves to be godly and trying really hard to be good? 26 Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air.
What place does goal-setting have in Christian living? 27 No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. Do you ever punish your body for the sake of Christ? 25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 1 Timothy 4:7b (NIV2011) Train yourself to be godly. What is the difference between training ourselves to be godly and trying really hard to be good? Training has to do with Isolating one training goal Developing a drill to work on that isolated goal Repeat that drill until it becomes a habit